System and method for activating components on an electronic device using orientation data

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a system and method for analyzing an orientation of a handheld electronic device. The method comprises: monitoring data from a first sensor in a handheld electronic device; determining an orientation of the handheld electronic device by analyzing the data from the first sensor; and when the orientation indicates that the handheld electronic device is face down, activating a first component on the handheld electronic device.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/717,581 filed on Mar. 4, 2010.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to a system and method for activating componentson an electronic device. In particular, the disclosure relates toanalyzing orientation data relating to the device and activatingcomponents based on an orientation of the device determined from theorientation data.

BACKGROUND

Current wireless handheld mobile communication devices perform a varietyof functions to enable mobile users to stay current with information andcommunications, such as e-mail, corporate data and organizer informationwhile they are away from their desks. Such devices have displays andsophisticated operating systems providing Graphical User Interfaces(GUIs) that impart various static and moving images to the user.

Form factors of some handheld devices make it difficult to determine a“top” or “bottom” of the device. For example, when a handheld device isquickly removed from a user's pocket and placed on a table, it may bedifficult to identify a “top” from a “bottom” of the device. Also when auser retrieves the device from his person (e.g. from a pocket), it maybe oriented upside down. If the user tries to initiate a call with thedevice upside down, the speaker and microphones are not located in theproper locations for the orientation. Some form factors may havemultiple displays, making it difficult to determine a “front” and “back”of the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure provides, by way of example only, with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of a front view of an activatedelectronic device having an orientation analysis system according to anembodiment;

FIG. 1B is a schematic representation of a front view of the electronicdevice of FIG. 1A with its display turned off;

FIG. 1C is a schematic representation of a rear view of the electronicdevice of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a schematic representation of the front view of the activatedelectronic device of FIG. 1A showing an alternative orientation of thedevice;

FIG. 1E is a schematic representation of the front view of the activatedelectronic device of FIG. 1A showing another orientation of the device;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of components of the orientation analysissystem of the device of an embodiment of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is flow chart of functions performed by the orientation analysissystem of the device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an orientation scheme utilizingx, y and z axis used by the orientation analysis system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of components and the orientation analysissystem in device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of two movement detection systems of theembodiment of FIG. 1A; and

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an alternative movement detection systemthe embodiment of FIG. 1A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

The description which follows and the embodiments described therein areprovided by way of illustration of an example or examples of particularembodiments of the principles of the present disclosure. These examplesare provided for the purposes of explanation and not limitation of thoseprinciples and of the disclosure. In the description which follows, likeparts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with thesame respective reference numerals.

In a first aspect, a method is provided, comprising: monitoring datafrom a first sensor in a handheld electronic device; determining anorientation of the handheld electronic device by analyzing the data fromthe first sensor; and when the orientation indicates that the handheldelectronic device is face down, activating a first component on thehandheld electronic device.

In the method, the first sensor may be an accelerometer or a pressureswitch.

The method may further comprise: when the orientation indicates that thehandheld electronic device is face down, deactivating a second componenton the handheld electronic device.

In the method, the second component may be a display.

In the method, the first component may comprise a microphone, a speaker,an input/output device or a short-range communication sub-system.

In the method, the first component may be a speaker located on an upperportion of the handheld electronic device; the second component may be amicrophone located on the upper portion of the handheld electronicdevice; and when the orientation indicates that the handheld electronicdevice is upright, the speaker may be activated and the microphone maybe deactivated.

In the method, the orientation may be a first orientation and the methodmay further comprise: determining a second orientation of the handheldelectronic device by analyzing the data from the first sensor; and whenthe orientation indicates that the handheld electronic device is otherthan face down, deactivating the first component.

In the method, when the orientation indicates that the handheldelectronic device is other than face down the orientation, theorientation may indicate that the handheld electronic device is in aface up orientation.

In a second aspect, an activation circuit for activating components of ahandheld electronic device is provided. The circuit comprises: anorientation module that determines an orientation of the handheldelectronic device by analyzing data from a first sensor in the handheldelectronic device; and an activation module that, when the orientationmodule determines that the handheld electronic device is face down,activates a first component on the handheld electronic device.

In the activation circuit, the orientation module may comprise anaccelerometer or a pressure switch.

In the activation circuit, when the orientation module determines thatthe handheld electronic device is face down, the activation module maydeactivate a second component on the handheld electronic device.

In the activation circuit the first component may comprise a microphone,a speaker, an input/output device or a short-range communicationsub-system.

In another aspect, a method for activating components of a handheldelectronic device is provided. The method comprises: monitoring datafrom a first sensor for the device; determining an orientation of thedevice by analyzing at least the data from the first sensor; andactivating a first component on the device in view of the orientation ofthe device.

The method may further comprise deactivating a second component on thedevice in view of the orientation of the device.

The method may further comprise generating an output on a display of thedevice oriented to match the orientation of the device.

In the method, the first component may be a speaker located on an upperportion of the device; and the second component may be a microphonelocated on the upper portion of the device. Further, when theorientation indicates that the device is upright, the method may:activate the speaker; deactivate the microphone; and generate the outputon the display in an upright orientation.

The method may further comprise analyzing data from a second sensor withthe data from the first sensor to determine the orientation of thedevice.

In the method, the data from the second sensor may be compared againstthe data from the first sensor to determine the orientation of thedevice.

In the method, when the orientation indicates that the device is upsidedown, the speaker may be deactivated; the microphone may be activated;and the output on the display may be generated in an upside downorientation.

In the method, when the orientation indicates that the device isfacedown, the speaker may be activated; the microphone may bedeactivated; and the output on the display may be deactivated.

In the method, the first sensor may be an accelerometer.

The method may further comprise: monitoring data from a second sensorfor the device; determining an orientation of the device by analyzingthe data from the first sensor and the data from the second sensor; andactivating a first component on the device in view of the orientation ofthe device.

In the method, the first sensor may be a light detector; and the secondsensor may be a microphone.

In the method, when the orientation indicates that the device isupright, a microphone located on a lower portion of the device may alsobe activated.

In another aspect, an activation circuit for activating components of ahandheld electronic device is provided. The circuit comprises: anorientation module to determine an orientation of the device byanalyzing at least data from a first sensor; and an activation module.The activation module activates a first component on the device in viewof the orientation of the device; deactivates a second component on thedevice in view of the orientation of the device; and generates an outputon a display of the device oriented with the orientation of the device.

In the circuit the first component may be a speaker located on an upperportion of the device; and the second component may be a microphonelocated on the upper portion of the device.

In the circuit, the orientation module may analyze the data from thefirst sensor with data from a second sensor to determine the orientationof the device.

In the circuit, when the orientation indicates that the device is upsidedown, the activation module may: deactivate the speaker; activate themicrophone; and generate output on the display in an upside downorientation.

In the circuit, when the orientation indicates that the device is facedown, the activation module may: activate the speaker; deactivate themicrophone; and deactivate the output on the display.

In the circuit, the first sensor may be an accelerometer.

In the circuit, the first sensor may be a light detector; and the secondsensor may be a microphone.

In the circuit, the data from the second sensor may be compared againstthe data from the first sensor to determine the orientation of thedevice.

In other aspects, various combinations of sets and subsets of the aboveaspects are provided.

Generally, an embodiment provides a system and method of determining anorientation of a (handheld) device, namely whether the device isrightside up, upside down, facedown or face up. An embodiment utilizesthis determination and configures input and output (I/O) devices toalign with the determined orientation. Multiple I/O devices may beprovided at different locations on the device. Configurable I/O devicesmay be configured to provide different functions, depending on thedetermined orientation.

Exemplary details of aspect of embodiments are provided herein. First, adescription is provided on general concepts and features of anembodiment as provided in a device. Then, further detail is provided onthe system, data and algorithms used to determine an orientation of adevice and then to use that determination to compare the movementsagainst stored representations of gestures.

As such, referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, some general features of a device arefirst provided. In FIG. 1A, a front view is shown of an activatedelectronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure,which is indicated generally at 10. In the present embodiment,electronic device 10 is based on a computing platform havingfunctionality of an enhanced personal digital assistant with cell phoneand e-mail features. It is, however, to be understood that electronicdevice 10 can be based on construction design and functionality of otherelectronic devices, such as smart telephones, desktop computers pagersor laptops having telephony equipment. In a present embodiment,electronic device 10 includes a housing 12, a liquid crystal display(LCD) 14, speakers 16, a light emitting diode (LED) indicator 18, atrackpad 20, an ESC (“escape”) key 22, a telephone headset comprised ofan ear bud 26 and a microphone 28. It is noted that speakers 16 arelocated in a top left corner (16A) and a bottom right corner (16B) ofdevice 10. The speakers may be selectively activated. A microphone (notshown) may be provided near each of speaker 16.

As part of LCD 14, a virtual keypad 24 is provided, which is generatedon LCD 14. Software operating on device 10 generates the images of thekeys for keypad 24. LCD 14 may incorporate a touch screen display toprovide sensors for keypad 24. Additional dedicated “hard” keys (notshown) may be provided on device 10. Trackpad 20 and ESC key 22 can beinwardly depressed along the path of arrow “A” as a means to provideadditional input to device 10. One or more input devices, such as atrackball or trackwheel (not shown), may be provided.

It will be understood that housing 12 can be made from any suitablematerial as will occur to those of skill in the art and may be suitablyformed to house and hold all components of device 10. Exemplarymaterials for housing 12 include one or more of any type of plastics,polycarbonate, metal, etc. Forming housing 12 may result in a housing 12that is rigid, lightweight, durable, provides protection from externalenvironmental elements and shock protection, provides large viewingareas for displays, etc. Housing 12 may be sized to comfortably fit in auser's hand.

Referring to FIGS. 1B and 1C, device 10 has been provided with a sleekindustrial design that attempts to minimize use of protruding features,such as keys and openings. As such, when display 14 is turned off,keypad 24 is not generated. As such, in FIG. 1B, the front view ofdevice 10 shows a form factor that has few substantial distinguishingfeatures to readily identify an orientation of device 10 (e.g. rightsideup or upside down). Even with the presence of some features, such asopenings for speaker 16 and LED 18, a user may not be able to quicklyidentify visual cues that would indicate an orientation of device 10.Further, referring to FIG. 1C, a rear view of device 10 is shown. Therear panel of housing 18 follows the same clean design features of thefront features of device 10. As such, again, there a few, if any,readily identifiable physical features that identify the top side orbottom side of device 10. It will be appreciated that when display 14 isturned off (or is dimly lit), a user may not readily be able to tellwhen device 10 is upright or upside down.

Device 10 is operable to conduct wireless telephone calls, using anyknown wireless phone system such as a Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM) system, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)system, CDMA 2000 system, Cellular Digital Packet Data (CDPD) system andTime Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system. Other wireless phonesystems can include Wireless WAN (IMS), Wireless MAN (Wi-max or IEEE802.16), Wireless LAN (IEEE 802.11), Wireless PAN (IEEE 802.15 andBluetooth), etc. and any others that support voice. Additionally, aBluetooth network may be supported. Other embodiments include Voice overIP (VoIP) type streaming data communications that can simulatecircuit-switched phone calls. Ear bud 26 can be used to listen to phonecalls and other sound messages and microphone 28 can be used to speakinto and input sound messages to device 10.

As device 10 operates as a telephone, there is a general form factorwhere the user is expected to place one end of device 10, where aspeaker is located, near his ear and the other end of device 10, where amicrophone is located, near his mouth. However, as seen in FIGS. 1A-1C,it is possible that a user may pick up device 10 in an upside downorientation and try to initiate a telephone call. When device 10 isoriented upside down, speaker 16 may be at an end of device 10 that isnear the user's mouth and the microphone conversely may be at the endthat is near the user's ear. In such an orientation, the quality of thereceived and transmitted audio signals is lessened. Even for moreconventional looking handheld devices, it is still possible to pick itup and attempt to use it when it is in the wrong orientation. Anembodiment addresses these issues. Further detail is now provided oncomponents of an embodiment.

Components of an input/output activation system provided in device 10according to an embodiment are shown. Device 10 has device activationfeatures that allow it to selectively activate and deactivate one ormore of its components based on orientation conditions detected andderived by device 10. For example, if device 10 determines that itsorientation is “rightside up”, then device 10 activates/configures itsI/O devices to suit that orientation. For example, a speaker located inthe top portion of device 10 may be activated, as opposed to a speakerin a lower portion of device 10. Alternatively or subsequently, ifdevice 10 is oriented “upside down” then the speaker in the lowerportion may be activated and the speaker in the upper portion may bedeactivated. For the purpose of the disclosure, it will be appreciatedthat an embodiment provides features and functions for activating orre-activating one or more components in device 10 depending on a givenorientation of device 10.

Referring to FIG. 1A, when device 10 is picked up in an expectedorientation, speaker 16A is at the “top” of device 10. As such, anembodiment may activate speaker 16A, while speaker 16B is not activated.Referring to FIG. 1D, when device 10 is picked up upside down, speaker16B is at the “top” of device 10. As such, speaker 16B may be activated,while speaker 16A is not activated and a neighbouring microphone tospeaker 16A may be activated. Also the text and graphics on display 14is adjusted to be “upside down”. Each or either of speakers 16A and 16Bmay be placed along about the transverse axis of device 10 at or near anend of device 10 or may be placed in a corner of device 10. Referring toFIG. 1E, in yet another orientation, when device 10 is picked up on itsside, speaker 16B is at the “top” of device 10. As such, speaker 16B maybe activated, while speaker 16A is not activated. A neighbouringmicrophone to speaker 16A may be activated. Also the text and graphicson display 14 is adjusted to be in landscape format.

Referring to FIG. 2, to that end, orientation system 200 identifies acurrent physical orientation of device 10. This determination can thenbe used to controls how and when certain components in device 10 areactivated. System 200 includes sensors 202, signal conditioning andscaling module 204 and microprocessor 206. Data from sensors 202 isprovided to signal conditioning and scaling module 204. An output frommodule 204 is signal(s) that provide orientation data which may beprovided to microprocessor 206 through interrupt generator 208. Thesensors may detect one or more orientation and/or movement conditionsbeing imparted on device 10. Generally, upon detection of a condition(e.g. movement of the device) or a level of a condition (e.g. data froman accelerometer), sensors 202 generate electrical signals that may beproportional to the strength of the condition detected. Module 204filters and scales its received signals, allowing signals from differentsensors 202 to be compared on an equivalent numeric basis. For example,sensor 202 a (not shown) may be a movement sensor (such as anaccelerometer) that generates signals between −1 to +1 volt; sensor 202b (not shown) may be a mercury switch and may generate signals between 0and 3 volts relative to the position of the mercury ball; and sensor 202c (not shown) may be a light sensor that may generate signals between 0and 5 volts (or other ranges). These different ranges can be normalizedby module 204 so that, if necessary, signals from different sensors canbe compared. Signals from one or more sensor 202 (or other components)may be set up to be necessary trigger conditions before signals fromother sensors are evaluated. Module 204 may also filter extraneoussignals (e.g. signals that are too small, too large, too infrequent,etc.). Microprocessor 206 is the main control component of device 10. Ithas firmware applications that it accesses that provide most of thefunctions for device 10. Once orientation data is provided by system200, microprocessor 206 may initiate another application or module toidentify and activate a component in device 10.

Signals from sensors 202 may be provided directly to microprocessor 206or through module 204 or through interrupt generator 208. Signals frominterrupt generator 208 are provided to the interrupt line ofmicroprocessor 206. This allows signals from generator 208 (andultimately from sensors 202) to provide “real time” input values that aninterrupt process operating on microprocessor 206 can use to determinewhat the signals from sensors 202 mean and what actions, if any, to takein view the signals.

Referring to FIG. 3, flow chart 300 provides an exemplary progression ofactivities that an activation system according to an embodiment device10 transits in, to and through as it receives orientation data andprocesses it to determine what components, if any, to activate. In anembodiment, actions are executed by orientation system 200 and anorientation analysis module (described later) and/or other processes andmodules operating on device 10.

At process 302, the activation system has been initiated and sensors indevice 10 are monitored. The system may have been activated upon anyevent. For example, device 10 may be in a sleep mode and the activationsystem is used to monitor for an activation condition. Alternatively,device 10 may be active with an application executing and its displaypowered. In such a condition, device 10 will use activation system 200to monitor the orientation of device 10 and determine if an adjustmentof the orientation and or other components of device 10 are required.

The sensors may be any type of sensor that detects a physical condition,which may be used to indicate an orientation of device 10. For example,a sensor may be a gyroscope, accelerometer, motion sensor, mercuryswitch, pressure switch, light sensor, microphone, altimeter etc.Sensors 202 (FIG. 2) provide some exemplary sensors that may be used. Atprocess 304, data from the sensors is filtered, isolated and processed.Module 204 (FIG. 2) provides some exemplary signal processing that maybe provided. At process 306, an orientation of device 10 may bedetermined from selected sensor signals. This may be done in part bymodule 204 (FIG. 2) or it may be done in an application operating onmicroprocessor 206, such as an orientation analysis application(described below). In certain orientations there may not be a distinctorientation determined for the device. For example, when device is lyingflat on a table, it may be “face up” with its display facing upwards orit may be “face down” with its display facing the table. This part ofthe orientation may be determined by sensor 202 (e.g. when sensor 202 isan accelerometer). However, additional orientation information may notbe determinable (e.g. what direction the top of device 10 is facing). Insuch instances, an orientation may be selected from the orientation dataprovided. In such a case, a determination may be made to not change theorientation. An application operating on device 10 (e.g. telephoneapplication, internet browsing application) may haveoperating/orientation preferences for its outputs as well. For example,it may be preferable for the telephone application to generate itsdisplay only in a portrait mode. Also, once a telephone call isinitiated, the orientation may (or may not) be locked.

At process 308, once an orientation of device 10 is determined, thenselected elements in device 10 may be activated and/or deactivated basedon the determined orientation of device 10. This may be done in part bymodule 204 (FIG. 2) or it may be done in an application operating onmicroprocessor 206, such as an activation application (described below).

The operation of one or more processes in flow chart 300 may beconducted by one or more hardware or software components. The processesmay be conducted within a single device 10 or through multiple devices.The execution of the processes of flow chart 300 may be done on acontinuous basis, at predefined intervals (which may or may not beperiodic), or upon certain activation events (such as the detection of asignificant signal from a sensor).

As part of an orientation analysis, an embodiment may use a coordinatesystem to map a notional location and orientation of device 10 withinthat coordinate system. For one embodiment, FIG. 4 shows Cartesiancoordinate system 400, having x-axis 402, y-axis 404 and z-axis 406. Anorientation of device 10 may be determined from data provided byorientation system 200. Device 10 may be oriented in a generallyvertical or horizontal position along any axis. Device 10 may beoriented right-side up or upside down along any axis. As shown, device10 may be oriented face up or face down along any axis. Of course,device 10 may have orientation coordinates that cover all three axes.Sensor 202 a as an accelerometer, provides signals representing theforce of gravity and its direction when it is in a quiescent state. Thismay be used to determine an orientation of device 10. As such, anembodiment may make a determination of a “general” orientation of device10. For example, device 10 may be “mostly upright” if it determined thatits back is pitched at an angle that is no more than about +/−30 degreesfrom the y-axis. For example, device 10 may be “mostly horizontal” if itdetermined that its back is pitched at an angle that is no more thanabout +/−30 degrees from the x-axis. Determinations as to whether device10 is rightside up, upside down, face up or face down along any axis mayalso be determined, which may ultimately be based on x, y and zcoordinate sensor data readings. Also the orientation may be tracked ina different coordinate system, such as a spherical coordinate system.For the purpose of this disclosure the following phrase conventions areused to describe various orientations of device 10:

-   -   a) “upright” or “upside right” means that device 10 has its        “intended” top side directed upwardly, per FIG. 1A, unless        otherwise noted;    -   b) “upside down” means that device 10 has its “intended” top        side directed downwardly, per FIG. 1D, unless otherwise noted;    -   c) “face up” means that the front of device 10 (generally having        display 14 thereon) is horizontal and upwardly facing, e.g. with        device 10 as per FIG. 1A lying on a table, unless otherwise        noted;    -   d) “face down” means that the front of device 10 (generally        having display 14 thereon) is downwardly facing, e.g. with        device 10 lying on a table with display 14 facing the table;    -   e) “portrait” means that the longitudinal axis of device 10 is        generally upright. There may be an “upright” and an “upside        down” portrait orientation; and    -   f) “landscape” means that the traverse axis of device 10 is        generally upright. There may be an “upright” and an “upside        down” landscape orientation.        These orientations are based on a device-centric frame of        reference, where the ground is used as a common reference point.        Other orientation schemes may be used.

The orientations can be considered in groups. An “upside right” or“upside down” group of orientations relates to an orientation of adevice when it is (generally) perpendicular to the ground (e.g. it maybe held in a user's hand during a telephone call). These orientationsmay be used to determine how to orient a display of device 10 screen andwhich speaker and microphone to enable when device 10 is activated, suchas when using device 10 after you remove it out of your pocket and pickit up. The form factor and industrial design of device 10 may providefew visual cues as to what orients device 10 as being either upsideright and/or upside down. An embodiment provides a reconfiguration ofactivation of components on device 10 based on the current orientationof device 10, saving the user from an effort to reorient it to an upsideright orientation.

A “face up” or “face down” group of orientations relates to anorientation of a device when it is (generally) parallel to the ground(e.g. it may be lying on a table). A user may have an easier time indetermining whether device 10 is “face up” or “face down” as visual cuesin device 10 may assist in quickly identifying whether device 10 is faceup or face down. For example, in one form factor the front of device 10may be clearly be the front (with its display) and the back will clearlybe the back. Using this orientation information, an embodiment may usethe present “face up” or “face down” orientation to determine a user'sintent for device 10. For example, placing device 10 “face down” on atable may cause some components to be activated and others to bedeactivated. For example one set of speaker and microphone may be moreoptimized for speakerphone in the face down position may be used as anindication that one or more components on device 10 is to be turned off.As such, front speaker 16 may be deactivated as it will be sounds thatwill be directed towards the table. As well the main display may beturned off since its output cannot be viewed. A different LED notifiermay be activated if the primary LED is not visible in a givenorientation. Other sensors, such as a light sensor may be used todetermine an orientation of device 10. For example, an embodiment mayprovide a first light sensor on the front of device 10 and a secondlight sensor on its back.

It will be appreciated that for a given new orientation, are-orientation of components on device 10 may or may not be made. Forexample, if an orientation changes from “face up” to “face down” (orvice versa), the change may not necessarily cause a reorientation of thedisplay or in the speaker and microphone components.

An orientation may be dominated by any one of a)-f) (e.g. a device ismostly upright). It will be appreciated that an orientation may includecombinations orientations.

Referring to FIG. 5, further detail is provided on components of device10 in schematic 500. The functional components are generally electronic,structural or electromechanical devices. In particular, microprocessor206 is provided to control and receive almost all data, transmissions,inputs and outputs related to device 10. Microprocessor 206 is shownschematically as coupled to display 14 and other internal devices.Microprocessor 206 preferably controls the overall operation of thedevice 10 and its components. Exemplary microprocessors formicroprocessor 206 include microprocessors in the Data 950 (trademark)series, the 6200 series and the PXA900 series, all available at one timefrom Intel Corporation. Microprocessor 206 is connected to otherelements in device 10 through a series of electrical connections to itsvarious input and output pins. Microprocessor 206 has an IRQ input linewhich allows it to receive signals from various devices. Appropriateinterrupt firmware is provided which receives and reacts to the signalsdetected on the IRQ line.

In addition to the microprocessor 206, other internal devices of thedevice 10 are shown schematically in FIG. 5. These include: speakers 16(which may be paired with a neighbouring microphone); buttons 22;sensors 202 (including motion sensor 202A), communication sub-system502; short-range communication sub-system 504; auxiliary I/O devices506; serial port 508; microphone port 510 for microphone 28; flashmemory 512 (which provides persistent storage of data including localdata relating to the status flags used by an embodiment); random accessmemory (RAM) 514; clock 520 and other device sub-systems (not shown).Device 10 is preferably a two-way radio frequency (RF) communicationdevice having voice and data communication capabilities. In addition,device 10 preferably has the capability to communicate with othercomputer systems via the Internet. Device 10 may have a SIM card (notshown).

Sensors 202 and 202A may detect any physical condition around and aboutdevice 10, such as position, acceleration orientation, inclination,movement, sounds, heat (temperature), light, movement, humidity, stress,pressure, magnetic fields, voltage, current, x-rays, gamma rays, etc. Alow-g MEMS (micro-electromechanical system) accelerometer may be usedfor motion sensor 202. Further, the accelerometer may be of almost anytype, including a capacitive, piezoelectric, piezoresistive, or agas-based accelerometer. An exemplary low-g MEM accelerometer is aLIS302DL tri-axis digital accelerometer, available fromSTMicroelectronics of Geneva, Switzerland. Accelerometers sense andconvert an acceleration detected from a motion (e.g. tilt, inertial, orvibration) or gravity into an electrical signal (producing acorresponding change in output) and are available in one, two or threeaxis configurations. Accelerometers may produce digital or analog outputsignals. Also, sensor 202 may be a gyroscope. Further, the gyroscope maybe of almost any type, including an inertial, capacitive, piezoelectric,piezoresistive, or a gas-based gyroscope. An exemplary gyroscope ismodel ADIS16350 High Precision Tri-Axis Inertial Sensor from AnalogDevices, Inc. Gyroscopes sense and convert a rotational motion into anelectrical signal (producing a corresponding change in output) and areavailable in one, two or three axis configurations. Gyroscopes mayproduce digital or analog output signals. One or more sensors 202 may belocated at strategic locations in device 10, such as locations where auser is expected to handle, touch or hold device 10 or locations whereambient conditions may be detected. Multiple sensors of the same typemay be located on the top, bottom, front and rear of device 10.

To improve sensitivities of a gyroscope, its outputs can be calibratedto compensate for individual axis offset, center of gravity issues fordevice 10 in regards to its location in housing 118 and sensitivityvariations. Calibrations can also be performed at the system level,providing end-to-end calibration. Calibrations can also be performed bycollecting a large set of measurements with the device in differentorientations.

Microphone port 510, auxiliary I/O devices 506, touchpad 20 and othercomponents of device 10 may also provide input signals that may be usedas sensors for an embodiment.

Operating system software executed by the microprocessor 206 ispreferably stored in a computer-readable medium, such as flash memory512, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such asread-only memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, systemsoftware, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may betemporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as RAM 514. Communicationsignals received by the mobile device may also be stored to RAM 514.

Microprocessor 206, in addition to its operating system functions,enables execution of software applications on device 10. A set ofsoftware (or firmware) applications, generally identified asapplications 516, that control basic device operations, such as voicecommunication module 516A and data communication module 516B, may beinstalled on the device 10 during manufacture or downloaded thereafter.Calendar application 516C and address book application 516D provideuseful tracking tools for the user of device 10. Status module 516Emonitors and evaluates the status of various capabilities of device 10(e.g. its communication connections, battery power, available memory,sensors) and updates data stored on device 10 with this information.Module 516E may also generate and send communications to externaldevices regarding this information on a periodic basis or as statuseschange.

Orientation analysis module 516F receives data from various componentsof device 10, such as condition and scaling circuit 204, motion sensor202A, sensors 202, GPS module 524, RFID module 526, communication module502, short-range communication sub-system 504, time and day data,calendar data, etc. The data collectively can be used to determine anorientation of device 10 (as provided for example in FIGS. 2 and 4)based on any data provided from sensors 202 or other components.Override (hardware/software) data and switch settings may also be usedto determine the orientation of device 10. Module 516F may providestatus messages to external devices and servers, based on receivedrequests or changes in activity. Module 516F may impose thresholds onthe activity before sending such status messages. In one embodimentsignals from sensors 202 are provided to microprocessor 206 forevaluation by module 516F. In another embodiment signals from sensors202 are provided to module 204 which filters the signals and providesthem to microprocessor 206 for evaluation by module 516F.

Activation module 516G receives and extracts any commands fromorientation analysis module 516F and determines whether toactivate/deactivate one or more components on device 10. It may alsodetermine how text and graphics are to be displayed on display 14 (e.g.rightside up, upside down, in portrait or landscape mode etc.). Table A1below provides an exemplary matrix of deemed orientations based ondetected conditions from sensors 202 that module 516G may determine fromdata provided to it:

TABLE A1 Deemed Orientation Sensors Set A Sensors Set B Sensors Set CUpright Mercury switch Accelerometer Tilt sensor reading: reading:upright sensor reading: upright upright Upside Mercury switchAccelerometer Tilt sensor reading: Down reading: upside sensor reading:upside down down upside down Front microphone has higher signal readingthan rear microphone Horizontal Mercury switch Accelerometer Tilt sensorreading: reading: horizontal sensor reading: horizontal horizontalNote that in Table A1, face up and face down orientation data is notused. Such data may be provided, but it may be disregarded orselectively used.

Table B1 below provides an exemplary matrix of actions based on deemedorientations that module 516G may initiate upon determining anorientation of device 10 from Table A1:

TABLE B1 Orientation Speaker 16A Speaker 16B Display 14 Upright On; turnoff neighbouring Off; turn on upright microphone neighbouring displaymicrophone Upside Down Off; turn on neighbouring On; turn off upsidedown microphone neighbouring display microphone Horizontal On; turn offneighbouring Off; turn on landscape, microphone neighbouring uprightmicrophone displayThe orientation data may also be used to qualify an output of acomponent. For example, an output level of a speaker may be increased ifthe orientation is, for example, face down. Also the sensitivity of amicrophone may be increased if, for example, the orientation of thedevice is upside down. In some embodiments, when a speaker is turned on,its neighbouring microphone may not be deactivated (and vice versa).Other buttons 22 on device 10 may be reconfigured to provide differentactions, depending on the orientation of device 10.

It will be appreciated that other orientation combinations may beconsidered. For example, in a user-centric orientation scheme, theorientation of the device may be derived based on its relativeorientation to its user. Table A2 below provides another exemplarymatrix of deemed orientations based on detected conditions from sensors202 that module 516G, where various user-centric orientations areconsidered.

TABLE A2 Deemed Orientation Sensors Set A Sensors Set B Sensors Set CFace up, with bottom Mercury switch Accelerometer sensor Tilt sensorreading: of device directed to reading: face up reading: face up face upuser Face up, with top of Mercury switch Accelerometer sensor Tiltsensor reading: device directed to reading: face up reading: face upface up user Front microphone has higher signal reading than rearmicrophone Face down, with Mercury switch Accelerometer sensor Tiltsensor reading: bottom of device reading: face down reading: face downface down directed to user Rear microphone has higher signal readingthan front microphone Face down, with top Mercury switch Accelerometersensor Tilt sensor reading: of device directed to reading: face downreading: face down face down user Top microphone has higher signalreading than bottom microphoneFor example, the orientation of “face up, with bottom of device directedto user” reflects a device lying on a table where its bottom end (withthe microphone) is closer to the user than the top end (where thespeaker is located). As such, the device is in an expected orientationto the user. Meanwhile, the orientation of “face up, with top of devicedirected to user” reflects that device lying on a table where its topend is closer to the user than the bottom end. As such, the device is inan “upside down” orientation to the user. It may require orientationreading from several sensors to determine the location of a userrelative to a device. For example, signals from two microphones locatedat a spaced relationship may be used to determine a “closer” source ofsound, presumed to be the user.

Table B2 below provides an exemplary matrix of actions based on deemedorientations that module 516G may initiate upon determining anorientation of device 10 from data from Table A2:

TABLE B2 Orientation Speaker 16A Speaker 16B Display 14 Face up, withbottom On; turn off Off; turn on upright display of device directed toneighbouring neighbouring user microphone microphone Face up, with topof Off; turn on On; turn off upside down display device directed toneighbouring neighbouring user microphone microphone Face down, with On;turn off Off; turn on upright display bottom of device neighbouringneighbouring directed to user microphone microphone Face down, with topOff; turn on On; turn off upside down display of device directed toneighbouring neighbouring user microphone microphone Face up On; turnoff Off; turn on landscape, upright neighbouring neighbouring displaymicrophone microphone

Activation module 516G may change the activation of components on device10 as device 10 is moved to different orientations. Different thresholdsmay be used to initiate changes. For example, an initial orientation maybe set where the threshold for the initial orientation is fairly small(e.g. +/− about 5-10 degrees—or more or less—from an axis). However, fora subsequent change in orientation, an embodiment may set a higherthreshold for a movement before a change is initiated. For example, asecond change may require that the orientation exceeds about 30-40degrees (or more or less) from its current “main” orientation axis.

As well, additional software modules, such as software module 516N,which may be for instance a personal information manager (PIM)application, may be installed during manufacture or downloadedthereafter into device 10. Data associated with each application can bestored in flash memory 812.

Data communication module 516B may comprise processes that implementfeatures, processes and applications for device 10 as provided anddescribed earlier, allowing device 10 to generate track status ofvarious components of device 10 and to generate and send messages toexternal devices.

Communication functions, including data and voice communications, areperformed through the communication sub-system 502 and the short-rangecommunication sub-system 504. Collectively, sub-systems 502 and 504provide the signal-level interface for all communication technologiesprocessed by device 10. Various applications 516 provide the operationalcontrols to further process and log the communications. Communicationsub-system 502 includes receiver 528, transmitter 530 and one or moreantennas, illustrated as receive antenna 532 and transmit antenna 534.In addition, communication sub-system 502 also includes processingmodules, such as digital signal processor (DSP) 536 and localoscillators (LOs) 538. The specific design and implementation ofcommunication sub-system 502 is dependent upon the communication networkin which device 10 is intended to operate. For example, communicationsub-system 502 of device 10 may operate with the Mobitex (trade-mark),DataTAC (trade-mark) or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile datacommunication networks and also operate with any of a variety of voicecommunication networks, such as Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS),Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access(CDMA), CDMA 2000, Personal Communication Service (PCS), Global Systemfor Mobile Communication (GSM), etc. Other types of data and voice(telephonic) networks, both separate and integrated, may also beutilized with device 10. In any event, communication sub-system 502provides device 10 with the capability of communicating with otherdevices using various communication technologies, including instantmessaging (IM) systems, text messaging (TM) systems and short messageservice (SMS) systems.

In addition to processing communication signals, DSP 536 providescontrol of receiver 528 and transmitter 530. For example, gains appliedto communication signals in receiver 528 and transmitter 530 may beadaptively controlled through automatic gain-control algorithmsimplemented in DSP 536.

Short-range communication sub-system 504 enables communication betweendevice 10 and other proximate systems or devices, which need notnecessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-rangecommunication sub-system may include an infrared device and associatedcircuits and components, or a Bluetooth (trade-mark) communicationmodule to provide for communication with similarly enabled systems.

Powering the entire electronics of the mobile handheld communicationdevice is power source 540. In one embodiment, the power source 540includes one or more batteries. In another embodiment, the power source540 is a single battery pack, especially a rechargeable battery pack. Apower switch (not shown) provides an “on/off” switch for device 10. Apower source interface (not shown) may be provided in hardware,firmware, software or a combination of such elements to selectivelycontrol access of components in device 10 to power source 540. Uponactivation of the power switch an application 516 is initiated to turnon device 10. Upon deactivation of the power switch, an application 516is initiated to turn off device 10. Power to device 10 may also becontrolled by other devices and by software applications 516.

Referring to FIG. 6, with some algorithms of an embodiment described,further detail is provided on how aspects of condition and scalingcircuit 204 and its related components are provided. Therein, twosensors arrangements for device 10 are shown. Circuit 600A shows sensor202 directly connected to the interrupt and serial interface input linesof microprocessor 206. Accordingly, software operating on microprocessor206 is provided to selectively monitor signal(s) from sensor 202A todetermine when movement of device 10 has been detected. The circuitbetween sensor 202 and microprocessor 206 can be considered to be oneversion of circuit 204. Software operating on microprocessor 206determines when a notable signal has been generated by sensor 202.Circuit 600B shows sensor 202 connected to trigger circuit 204A havingtwo differential comparators 602A and 602B, which then have theiroutputs attached to an analog mux 604. The mux selectively provides itsoutput according to a control signal generated by microprocessor 206.The analog output of mux 604 is converted to a set of digital signals byanalog to digital converter 606, which then provides the output tomicroprocessor 206. As with other implementation, software operating onmicroprocessor 206 determines when a notable signal has been generatedby sensor 202. Reading of positions determined by the software can bestored in memory 512 or 514. The software can also create an averagereading of the movement readings. This average reading can be used todetermine when device 10 is in a resting position or when it iseffectively in a resting position (e.g. it is being moved only ininconsequential amounts).

Referring to FIG. 7, an alternative circuit 204B is shown for sensor 202which is aligned as a single axis analog sensor. Sensor 202A can beoriented such that its output detects movement along a desired axis(e.g. ‘Z’ axis detecting when device moved vertically). Additional axesmay be monitored by replicating circuit 204B for each additional axis.Briefly, the output of sensor 202 is provided to buffer amp 700. Theoutput of buffer amp 700 is provided in tandem to comparators 702 and704. The other inputs of comparators 702 and 704 are taken fromdifferent taps on resistor ladder 706, comprising resistors 706A, 706Band 706C. Comparators 702 and 704, which may be comparators with orwithout hysteresis, each produce upper and lower limit comparisonsignals for the output of sensor 202. If the value of the signal fromsensor 202 is either above the upper limit set by the parameters ofcomparator 702 (comparing the signal from sensor 202 against its tapfrom the resistor ladder 706) or below the lower limit set by theparameters of comparator 704 (comparing the signal from sensor 202Aagainst its tap from the resistor ladder 706) then OR gate 708 generatesa trigger signal 710. It will be appreciated that the limits can be usedto define a range of signals detected by sensor 202 representing when bedevice 10 is either stationary (e.g. at rest) or being moved.

It will be appreciated that other circuits using different combinationsof sensors and triggering components and threshold detectors may be usedto provide functionalities of sensor 202A and circuit 204. In otherembodiments, a single comparator can be used to perform comparisons. Inother embodiments, other sensors 202 (e.g. heat, IR, pressure, etc.) maybe connected to a comparable detection circuit to any circuit asprovided in FIG. 6 or 7.

It will be appreciated that modules 516F and 516G and other applicationsin the embodiments can be implemented using known programmingtechniques, languages and algorithms. The titles of the modules areprovided as a convenience to provide labels and assign functions tocertain modules. It is not required that each module perform only itsfunctions as described above. As such, specific functionalities for eachapplication may be moved between applications, shared among or separatedinto different applications. Modules may be contained within othermodules. Different signalling techniques may be used to communicateinformation between applications using known programming techniques.Known data storage, access and update algorithms allow data to be sharedbetween applications. It will further be appreciated that otherapplications and systems on device 10 may be executing concurrently withany application 516. As such, one or more aspects of modules 516F and516G may be structured to operate in as a “background” application ondevice 10, using programming techniques known in the art. The system maybe incorporated into any electronic device, such as a communicationdevice, a portable electronic device, a personal computer, a keyboard,keypad or the like. The firmware and software may be implemented as aseries of processes and/or modules that provide the functionalitiesdescribed herein. Interrupt routines may be used. Data may be stored involatile and non-volatile devices described herein and updated by thehardware, firmware and/or software. Some of the processes may bedistributed.

As used herein, the wording “and/or” is intended to represent aninclusive-or. That is, “X and/or Y” is intended to mean X or Y or both.

In this disclosure, where a threshold or measured value is provided asan approximate value (for example, when the threshold is qualified withthe word “about”), a range of values will be understood to be valid forthat value. For example, for a threshold stated as an approximate value,a range of about 25% larger and 25% smaller than the stated value may beused. Thresholds, values, measurements and dimensions of features areillustrative of embodiments and are not limiting unless noted. Further,as an example, a “sufficient” match with a given threshold may be avalue that is within the provided threshold, having regard to theapproximate value applicable to the threshold and the understood rangeof values (over and under) that may be applied for that threshold.

It will be appreciated from the disclosure that an embodiment candetermine an orientation of a device, and can use this determination toconfigure I/O devices to align with the determined orientation. Thisprovides an enhanced user's experience with the device, as the user isnot required to be concerned as to whether he is holding the device“upside down” or not when initiating a function, such as a telephonecall. Further as the user continues to handle the device, different I/Odevices can be activated and/or deactivated, as the orientation changes.

The present disclosure is defined by the claims appended hereto, withthe foregoing description being merely illustrative of a preferredembodiment. Those of ordinary skill may envisage certain modificationsto the foregoing embodiments which, although not explicitly discussedherein, do not depart from the scope of the disclosure, as defined bythe appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: monitoring data from afirst sensor in a handheld electronic device; determining an orientationof the handheld electronic device by analyzing the data from the firstsensor; and when the orientation indicates that the handheld electronicdevice is face down, activating a microphone on the handheld electronicdevice.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is anaccelerometer.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first sensor is apressure switch.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: when theorientation indicates that the handheld electronic device is face down,deactivating a second component on the handheld electronic device. 5.The method of claim 4, wherein the second component is a display.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: when the orientation indicatesthat the handheld electronic device is face down, deactivating a furthercomponent on the handheld electronic device.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the further component comprises a speaker.
 8. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the further component comprises an input/output device.9. The method of claim 6, wherein the further component comprises ashort-range communication sub-system.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein: a speaker is located on an upper portion of the handheldelectronic device; the microphone is located on the upper portion of thehandheld electronic device; and when the orientation indicates that thehandheld electronic device is upright, activating the speaker; anddeactivating the microphone.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein theorientation is a first orientation, the method further comprising:determining a second orientation of the handheld electronic device byanalyzing the data from the first sensor; and when the orientationindicates that the handheld electronic device is other than face down,deactivating the microphone.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein whenthe orientation indicates that the handheld electronic device is otherthan face down the orientation, the orientation indicates that thehandheld electronic device is in a face up orientation.
 13. Anactivation circuit for activating components of a handheld electronicdevice, comprising: an orientation module that determines an orientationof the handheld electronic device by analyzing data from a first sensorin the handheld electronic device; and an activation module that, whenthe orientation module determines that the handheld electronic device isface down, activates a microphone on the handheld electronic device. 14.The activation circuit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the orientationmodule comprises an accelerometer.
 15. The activation circuit as claimedin claim 13, wherein the orientation module comprises a pressure switch.16. The activation circuit as claimed in claim 13, wherein, when theorientation module determines that the handheld electronic device isface down, the activation module deactivates a second component on thehandheld electronic device.
 17. The activation circuit as claimed inclaim 13, further comprising: when the orientation indicates that thehandheld electronic device is face down, deactivating a furthercomponent on the handheld electronic device.
 18. The activation circuitas claimed in claim 13, wherein the further component comprises aspeaker.
 19. The activation circuit as claimed in claim 13, wherein thefurther component comprises an input/output device.
 20. The activationcircuit as claimed in claim 13, wherein the further component comprisesa short-range communication sub-system.